(VOVWORLD) - On top of vaccination for people, HCM city has paid special attention to ensuring social security to overcome the consequences of the fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic. It has launched the third COVID-19 relief package worth more than 320 million USD, the largest ever of its kind, to support the poor and disadvantaged people so as to leave no one behind during the coronavirus crisis.
 Leaders of Ward 6 in HCM city's District 5 give welfare bags and cash to a local resident. (Photo: tuoitre.vn) |
Different from the previous pandemic support packages, the third package, which must be completed no later than October 4, will cover more groups of beneficiaries, including those with permanent, temporary, or migrant resident status.
After being approved, the lists of recipients must be posted at the headquarters of the local People’s Committees and updated on the social welfare management system.
 Le Minh Tan, Director of HCMC’s Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs.(Photo: laodong.vn)
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Le Minh Tan, Director of the municipal Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, said, “The disbursement of the relief aid will be prioritized for areas with many disadvantaged people. Those who didn’t receive support from the first and the second package will be helped this time.”
Freelance worker Phan Thi Binh of District 4 is hoping production and trading activities will resume soon so she can go out and earn money for her 5-member family.
“I’m very happy to receive another welfare bag this time. Each bag contains rice, other food, and cash,” said Binh.
To make sure the financial support reaches those who need it the most and avoid duplication, some districts are scanning QR codes to register people for the relief package.
Chung Quoc Cuong, a beneficiary in District 7, said, “We have received 65 dollars. I’m very glad to have the money, which will be used to pay the rent.”
The HCM city Social Welfare Center has deployed the S0S Program to handle citizens’ questions about the aid package. It is preparing 2 million welfare bags worth nearly 27 million USD, in addition to the city's support, said To Thi Bich Chau, Chairwoman of the HCM city chapter of the Vietnam Fatherland Front.
“We hope the relief packages will be disbursed as soon as possible. We’ll mobilize all of our forces and volunteers to deliver the gifts to those in need. It’s pretty difficult because we have to deliver the support packages as quickly as possible while social distancing is still in place. This requires careful organization,” said Chau.
More than 7 million people in HCM city will benefit from the latest support package.